Board Notes

A Summary of the November 16, 2006 Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Meeting

Board Authorizes and Approves Designation of Fund Balance

The Board of Trustees approved the designation of the fund balance.  After the required reservations and the designations previously approved by the Board, the District has excess fund balance available to designate for needed purchases. The District will also present these designations and purchases to the Board as budget amendments for approval as the funds are needed.

East Texas Symphony Supports TISD Arts through Gift 

The Board of Trustees approved a gift in the amount of $14,000 from the East Texas Symphony.  The gift will assist in providing beginning elementary violin instruction for the 2006-2007 school year.

Board Authorizes and Approves Soft Drink vendor contract

The Board of Trustees approved that the District award a 5-year contract with Tyler Coca-Cola Bottling Company, beginning January 6, 2007, and expiring on January 5, 2012.

Board Authorizes and Approves Rewards for Success Pay Scale

The Board of Trustees approved Rewards for Success plan Phase III, to be extended to more participants 2007-2008 school year. However, the priority schools will remain Griffin Elementary and Stewart Middle Schools.  Tyler ISD Superintendent David Simmons feels this is one of the most aggressive incentive programs in the state.

Board Authorizes and Approves Purchase of Math Resources

The Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the Touch Math and Side Streets programs to assist teachers in providing individual and small group instruction in order to increase student achievement in mathematics.  Both programs include complete teacher resources and student materials.  The cost for Touch Math is $ 73,933 and the cost for Side Streets is $ 65,700.

Facilities Department Provides Update on School Construction Projects

Project Managers Randy Rayford, with the Staubach Group (TSG), and Tim Loper, Tyler ISD Director of Facilities, provided the Board of Trustees an update on the progress of the school construction projects. 

The projects at Bell and Ramey elementary schools will be finalized by the end of November.  There are some warranty issues that have arisen that are being taken care of.  These campuses have a one year warranty on the items being addressed.

Rayford also updated the Board of Trustees on the four elementary schools under construction at this time (Austin, Bonner, Douglas, Jack):

Austin Elementary is in the Structural steel erection phase and is approximately 80% complete.  The brick work has commenced at the Gym. RPR’s plan of getting back on schedule has been affective.

Bonner Elementary is in the Structural steel erection phase and is approximately 60% complete.  Site utilities are 85% complete.  Bonner is approximately one week behind on structural steel and is working to make up the time.  The balance of the project is on schedule and under budget.

Douglas Elementary steel erection continues on the 1 story wing and the gym/cafetorium.  The brick work is approximately 30% complete; Douglas is ahead of schedule and under budget.

At Jack Elementary School, all work is complete except the fence at the colonnade.  Punch list work continues with the project scheduled to be complete by November 30^th.

Bryan C Jack is on schedule and under budget.

District’s Status Related to 1970 Federal Court Order Discussed

Since 1970 Tyler ISD has been under a desegregation order.  Dr. Simmons explained how he has met with more than 100 members of the community from various ethnic backgrounds.  He says these exchanges have discussed the intent of the order.  Some citizens feel the order is obsolete while others feel the order is very much needed to provide oversight to the District.  Dr. Simmons feels there needs to be considerable dialogue that needs to take place.  He acknowledges this is a complex issue and the groups are willing to continue the discussions.  He feels there is a lot of positive momentum in our community and no one wants to detract from the progress that has been made.  Dr. Simmons acknowledged that Tyler ISD has reduced the achievement gap, but additional progress needs to be made.  The groups discussed the need to retain and recruit staffing to meet the needs of the court order.  He acknowledged that Tyler ISD has to find more ways to get more people involved in education and that includes all races.  He feels we have to do a better job of recruiting young people to the education profession.  

Dr. Simmons recommended that the community continue to discuss this issue, and report back to the Board of Trustees from time to time.  Dr. Simmons welcomes more groups to participate in these discussions.